Assistant Director of Communications & Public Affairs

South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust

The closing date is 23 February 2025

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Job summary

Are you a visionary leader in communications and public affairs? Do you have a passion for shaping strategic engagement that drives meaningful impact within a large, diverse organisation?

We are looking for an exceptional leader to head up the Communications and Public Affairs function at South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWAST). This is a unique opportunity to play a pivotal role in steering communications strategy, enhancing stakeholder engagement, and reinforcing our commitment to a unified and empowered team.

As the Assistant Director of Communications and Public Affairs, you'll be at the heart of continuing ambitious transformation. If you're ready to make a real difference, we'd love to hear from you.

You will bring:

  • Past experience in senior communications and engagement leadership, ideally in a healthcare environment.
  • Exceptional strategic thinking with a hands-on approach to delivery, managing proactive and reactive communications needs.
  • Expertise in stakeholder mapping and engagement, focusing on strengthening external relations, enhancing organisational reputation.
  • Strong media relation skills and the ability to manage complex communication issues in high-pressure environments.
  • A collaborative, inclusive leadership style, with a commitment to empowering teams and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
  • An innovative mindset, comfortable working with traditional and digital platforms to deliver effective, impact-full communications.

Main duties of the job

Key Responsibilities:

  • Lead the delivery of SWAST's communications and engagement approach, setting the tone and corporate style to align with our vision, values, and goals.
  • Oversee all internal and external communications efforts, ensuring clear, consistent messaging that strengthens SWAST's reputation regionally and nationally.
  • Act as a trusted advisor to the CEO and Executive team, providing expert counsel on media relations, public affairs, and stakeholder engagement.
  • Cultivate strong relationships with key external stakeholders, driving strategic partnerships to amplify SWAST's voice in the healthcare system.
  • Champion internal communications, creating meaningful connections across our geographically diverse teams and fostering a culture of inclusivity and transparency.
  • Lead, inspire, and develop a high-performing communications and reception team, ensuring they are equipped to drive SWAST's strategic ambitions forward.
  • Ensure continuous evaluation and improvement of communication and engagement outputs, utilising emerging trends to deliver impactful results.

About us

Working for us is an experience like no other. We provide emergency and urgent care, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, operating across the largest ambulance region in England and responding to an average of 2,650 incidents every day.

We remain committed to ensuring that we provide the best possible care for all our patients, which is reflected in our new five-year strategy which has continually improving patient care at its very core.

The role is based in Exeter, one of the most vibrant, attractive and historically interesting cities in England, with excellent transport links and a great mix of independent shops, cafes and bars.

If you embody our values of one team, compassionate and innovative and are looking to make a real difference to peoples' lives, then we would love to hear from you.

In return we will equip you with the skills and resources you need to thrive in your role.

You will have opportunities to progress to roles across the Trust and enjoy continuous professional development.

Benefits

  • Competitive NHS salary
  • A standard working week of 37.5 hours
  • Holiday entitlements of 27 days per year, plus general and public holidays, rising to 29 days after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years
  • Pay enhancements for out of hours, shift and overtime working
  • Generous Pension Scheme
  • Career and salary progression
  • Car leasing scheme
  • Free parking across Trust sites
  • Staff networks
  • Wide range of discounts from various organisations across the UK

Date posted

06 February 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8d

Salary

£88,168 to £101,677 a year per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

202-6938542

Job locations

Unit 1, Abbey Ct, Eagle Way

Exeter

EX2 7HY


Job description

Job responsibilities

For further information about this role please see the attached job description and person specification.

PLEASE NOTE: Internal candidates are asked to seek approval from their current SWAST line manager prior to applying for this secondment opportunity.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For further information about this role please see the attached job description and person specification.

PLEASE NOTE: Internal candidates are asked to seek approval from their current SWAST line manager prior to applying for this secondment opportunity.

Person Specification

Education and Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to masters level or equivalent level of experience of working at a senior level in a specialist area.
  • Extensive knowledge and experience of working in communications and engagement, acquired through postgraduate diploma

Desirable

  • Membership of appropriate professional body

Skills, Knowledge. Abiltiy

Essential

  • Highly developed communications skills
  • Experience of holding a budget, involved in budget setting and working knowledge of financial processes.
  • Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and advanced keyboard skills.

Desirable

  • Knowledge of the NHS operating environment
  • Experience of working in a large geographically dispersed organisation and delivering effective internal communications and engagement
Person Specification

Education and Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to masters level or equivalent level of experience of working at a senior level in a specialist area.
  • Extensive knowledge and experience of working in communications and engagement, acquired through postgraduate diploma

Desirable

  • Membership of appropriate professional body

Skills, Knowledge. Abiltiy

Essential

  • Highly developed communications skills
  • Experience of holding a budget, involved in budget setting and working knowledge of financial processes.
  • Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and advanced keyboard skills.

Desirable

  • Knowledge of the NHS operating environment
  • Experience of working in a large geographically dispersed organisation and delivering effective internal communications and engagement

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Unit 1, Abbey Ct, Eagle Way

Exeter

EX2 7HY


Employer's website

https://www.swast.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Unit 1, Abbey Ct, Eagle Way

Exeter

EX2 7HY


Employer's website

https://www.swast.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

For questions about the job, contact:

Executive Office Administrator

Gemma Down

Gemma.Down@swast.nhs.uk

Date posted

06 February 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8d

Salary

£88,168 to £101,677 a year per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

202-6938542

Job locations

Unit 1, Abbey Ct, Eagle Way

Exeter

EX2 7HY


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